The Wandering Pen: A Podcast of Resilience, History, and the Power of Storytelling.

         In this heartfelt episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, Christine Musser sits down with writer Cynthia O’Neil. From the moss-covered hills of Western North Carolina, Cynthia shares her journey as a triracial writer, her deep bond with horses, and how land, resilience, and ancestral memory shape her voice.

Together, they explore Cynthia’s roots in Massachusetts, her experiences as a teenage mother, loss, her Native herit...

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Christine Musser pauses to reflect on the growth, gratitude, and genuine connection that have defined the first 21 episodes of The Wandering Pen. What began as a podcast rooted in vulnerability and storytelling has blossomed into a meaningful space for authors, historians, artists, and everyday people to share their truths.

Christine opens up about her challenges with anxiety and finding her voi...

Today’s episode tells the story of a trailblazing Pennsylvania family who challenged expectations and left a powerful legacy.

Based in the Harrisburg area during the early 1900s, this family defied societal norms: a mother who began a professional singing career at 50, a daughter who became one of the highest-earning women of her time and later led the National Girl Scouts, anoth...

In this episode of The Wandering Pen, host Christine Musser welcomes historian and author Shannon D. Smith, President of the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society, for a compelling conversation about the life, work, and enduring legacy of Mari Sandoz—one of the most powerful voices of the American High Plains.

Born in 1896 in a sod house in northwest Nebraska, Mari Sandoz faced relentless hardship, rejection, and personal sacrifice on he...

In this heartfelt episode, author Julie Burtinshaw joins host Christine Musser to explore the healing power of writing through personal loss and life’s most challenging moments. Julie opens up about her journey back to writing after deep grief, sharing how creativity can be both a refuge and a path to renewal. Together, Christine and Julie reflect on resilience, the challenges of staying motivated, and finding hope even when lif...

In this episode of The Wandering Pen, Christine Musser welcomes Cristen Hemingway Jaynes—great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, author, and environmental journalist—for a thoughtful conversation on legacy, creativity, and the natural world. From retracing her famous ancestor’s steps to carving out her own voice through fiction, nonfiction, and environmental advocacy, Cristen’s path is on...

In this episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, Christine Musser sits down with Dennis Owens—longtime ABC27 anchor, political reporter, and host of This Week in Pennsylvania—for a compelling conversation about the transformation of journalism over the past 30 years.

From his early days in sports broadcasting to becoming a trusted political voice at the Pennsylvania state Capitol, Dennis shares personal stories ...

In this episode of The Wandering Pen, Christine talks with Brian Fritz, a historic preservation advocate who has spent the past five years working to save the Peebles Farmstead—a limestone homestead built in 1773 just outside Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Once home to Revolutionary War veteran Alexander Peebles Sr., this historic property tells the story of early Scotch-Irish settlement, enduring ar...

In this episode of The Wandering Pen, host Christine Musser welcomes guest Judy Bailey—a retired nurse anesthetist, lifelong conservationist, and now candidate for Upper Allen Township Commissioner. Judy shares her inspiring journey from her early days in a student conservation program in the Smoky Mountains to her leadership in the South...

 In this episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, Christine Musser chats with Darci Henry,   founder of Darcy Henry Beauty, about how beauty, confidence, and authenticity come together through her brand. Darci shares her inspiring journey of launching her cosmetic line, the importance of clean ingredients and U.S.-based manufacturing, and why beauty should always enhance—not mask—who you are.

They als...

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Exploring Pine Grove Furnace State Park: Its History, Industry, and Natural Beauty with Andre Weltman

What hidden history lies beneath Pine Grove Furnace State Park’s trails and lakes? In this episode of The Wandering Pen Podcast, I sit down with Andre Weltman, local historian, and chair of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, to uncover ...

Did you know the Appalachian Trail’s halfway point lies within Pennsylvania’s

South Mountain Region part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range? 

                                 Julia & Katie

This ecologically and culturally rich area faces opportunities and challenges—from conservation successes and rar...

In Episode 10, host Christine Musser welcomes historian and author Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward to discuss his latest book, Cradle of Conservation, published by Temple University. They explore Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the conservation movement, highlighting influential figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Rothrock, and Myra Lloyd Dock.

During the episode, DW explains the significance of the Meadowcroft Rock Shelter. This ar...

Join Christine Musser and Cliff Brackett for a thoughtful, honest discussion on The Art and Craft of Writing. Cliff will share details of why he is on a mission to complete his book, The Garden Collection of Short Stories. This conversation is for every writer, no matter what stage they are at in the writing process. 

Writers and those considering writing will find practical insights in Cliff’s journey as he learns about the writin...

Join Christine Musser in episode eight of the Wandering Pen Podcast as she welcomes the inspirational speaker and thought leader Noralee Cole. With over 25 years of experience, Noralee shares her mission to guide individuals toward becoming the stars of their own lives through intentional actions and creating a meaningful legacy.

In this engaging conversation, discover the transformative power of the DASH concept, an acronym for Di...

In this captivating episode, host Christine Musser welcomes Melanie Stark, a remarkable writer and educator, to delve into the profound and personal narrative of an adoptee’s experiences. Melanie, acclaimed author of "Leadership with Love," opens her heart to share her intimate journey navigating the complex dynamics of adoption.

With wisdom and vulnerability, Melanie recounts her childhood in a strictly religious environment, grow...

On Monday, January 27, 2025, I sat down with Kathleen DuVal to discuss her book Independence Lost: Lives on the Edge of the American Revolution. Dr. DuVal, a North Carolina Chapel Hill professor, highlighted her book about the American Revolution in the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River Valley, the little-known story that students and adults know little about. It involved Spain and France’s support of the American Patriots. With...

Mj Pettengill is an author and social historian with a focus on cultural narrative and traditions, historical and intergenerational trauma integration, ancestral healing, and social welfare development.  She has a background in Civil War Musicology and trumpet performance. Before transitioning to the world of writing, she performed as a soloist with various musical organizations and featured in numerous Living Histories, Reenactme...

If you liked the movies Cool Hand Luke or The Color of Money, you would enjoy participating in Billiards for Benefits. Listen to the podcast and learn that it’s not just about playing pool . . .

This podcast took place on Sunday, January 26, 2025.   My guest is Tracee Clepper.

Tracee and co-founder Lisa Kochenauer started Billiards for Benefits in 2001 to raise funds and awareness for local charities in Central Pennsylvania. Some c...